THRONE OF RUINS (Redemption Arc)

vii

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MY EYES was once in a while fixated on Rhysand who was sitting like a king in his throne on the far corner of the room. Sa kanang kamay niya ay may pinaglalaruan siyang kutsilyo. He looks majestic and dangerous at the same time.

The lawyer arrived disrupting the excruciating moment of waiting, he's a man in his fifties as the gray hairs were quite visibly highlighted among the black of his hair. The room was once again filled with excitement, I can see it ignite in the way their eyes sparkle and their lips plaster a nervous smile.

"I see everyone is complete." Panimula niyang sabi habang inaayos ang mga dokumento sa lamesa. "Very well then, let us start with the will reading." Umupo siya at tumikhim.

"Mr. Achelois Akila Hellion Delarue, made it clear in his testimony that this letter should be read first." Iwinagayway niya sa kanang kamay ang kulay brown at maliit na envelope.

Maingat niya itong binuksan, "Hm.. Quite simple." He muttered while scanning the piece of paper in his hand, "For my children and grandchildren as well. I know that whatever it is in my will would probably shock you but sincerely I insist that it would be for the best." He said gazing at the people inside the room. "That's it. For additional information before we announce the partition of the inheritance left by Mr Delarue himself, I just want to inform you that it is divided into three simple ratio — first, the house by the four seasons lake which is this mansion, second is the One hundred million blood money invested in different accounts. Third is the blood like ink publishing company."

Muli niyang iniscan ang mga dokumento na ngayon ay hawak niya na. "For the house by the four seasons lake, I hereby declare it in.."nakita ko ang bahagyang pagkunot ng noo niya bago itinuloy ang pagsasalita, bigla naman akong kinabahan ng sandali siyang sumulyap sa akin, idagdag pa ang ttitig sa akin ni Rhysand, ang init talaga sa pakiramdam kapag nakatingin sa akin ang lalaking 'yon. "Ms. Emory Himemari Soulleah Clayton's name." Nanginig ang kamay ko sa kaba matapos marinig ang sinabi niya.

Mas lalo pa akong nanlambot sa kinatatayuan ng sabay-sabay na napatingin sa akin ang lahat ng tao sa living room. Their mouths was hanged open by a sudden wave of shock. I am dumbfounded as if a thunder just strike on my spot. My heart has gone feral.

"Continuing.."patikhim na sambit ng lawyer na nakakuha ulit ng aming atensyon, habang ako ay napahawak sa hamba ng pintuan dahil pakiramdam ko ay nanlalambot ang dalawa kong tuhod. "— the one hundred million in its whole was hereby declared and left in Ms. Clayton's name and alas.. the blood like ink company also in Ms. Clayton's name." I blinked multiple times trying to process everything that is happening..

Napaatras naman ako ng magsimulang magkagulo sa loob ng kwarto. Their eyes were brewing hatred and confusion all at once.

"No! No! No! There must be a mistake!" Mrs Guiennean exclaimed at hinablot niya ang mga dokumento sa lawyer matapos makalapit dito.

"Tell me you read that shit wrong! She's not part of the family!" Nagulantang ako sa mariin na pagsigaw ni Mrs Harmonia.

"She's just a mere stray that Dad picked up on the streets!" Ramdam ko ang pagsikip ng puso ko sa sinabi ni Sir Caspian.

"You little slut!" Nagulat naman ako ng bigla akong balingan ni Mrs Harmonia. "Are you seducing Dad? Did you fuck him!?"

My eyes were both in the verge of tears and my heart is pulsating nonstop that I can't barely breathe properly. Nagulantang ako ng makita ang palad niya na malapit ng tumama sa aking pisngi, wala na akong nagawa kundi ang pumikit ang hintayin itong tumama sa aking pisngi. Seconds later, I didn't feel any pressure pressed against my cheeks kaya't lakas loob kong iminulat ang mga mata ko.